Jackie Macadam reports on the work of one congregation drawing together its collective skills.

FEATURE

“WE were inspired by scripture. We could see that together we are like a body – the Body of Christ – with different parts playing their own role, using their own God-given gifts. God accepts it as part of his worship.”

Charles Smith, part of the Stewardship of Talents group at Banffl/w King Edward Parish Church, is talking about the church’s take on getting members more involved and even bringing the local community and the church together.

“One of our members, Vera Lumsden, the pastoral assistant, had initiated the ‘Stewardship of Talents’ when she was at a previous church.

She suggested something similar, and the idea took off.

“It took a bit of organising but we started by sharing the vision with the congregation through the preaching at a morning service, hoping to encourage everyone to recognise that we have all been given gifts and talents, whether we recognise it or not, and God wants us to use them.

“With the blessing of our minister, the Rev David Locke and our Kirk Session, a Stewardship of Talents Group was set up and we came up with the idea of putting together a ‘Talents Tick-Sheet’ to be handed out to everyone in the church.

“Everyone who received one was asked to take it away, read it, think about it and fill it in at home according to whatever talents, skills, interests or hobbies they had and would be willing to use for the church. “All the tick sheets were followed up,” said Charles. “We felt that was really important. There is already a stewardship group in place to oversee finances, so we felt it was really vital that the stewardship of Talents God has given, were just as valuable at the church as any monetary donation.

“We called our campaign ‘You Are Worth Your Weight In Gold’ and printed that title on our leaflets.

“Inside the leaflets we listed the many talents and activities that were already being utilised in the life of the church – helping with flowers, drama (some people take part in sketches during some services), laying out the church beforehand, helping with teas etc, but we pointed out that it was our aim to give everyone a chance, to open up the doors of opportunity to volunteer to serve in a way they would enjoy.

“The response has been terrific. Members of all ages have signed up, offering their hobbies, their skills, their interests, their time and their availability.”

He added: “We now have a wonderful data base of volunteers and offered skills and activities that are on offer to anyone in the church – and the wider community.” The Rev David Locke says the Stewardship of Talents has been great for the church.

“There has been a super take-up in the congregation and in many ways it has helped open the church up to those members or people in the community who have felt more on the margins or even felt church is irrelevant. With the opportunity to offer their talents, more people now feel part of the church and able to contribute and share in a real way, and open up to other sides of the Gospel.

“It’s emerging as a positive bridge between the church and the community.

“I think the fun and energetic way our talents team have gone about this has been wonderful, and helped break down such perceived barriers. They created a really positive atmosphere and have allowed people to dip their toe enjoyably in to serving church and community, discover near-forgotten talents, without feeling they’re taking on a lifelong commitment; and helped the process of more folk see how church can make a vital difference for good in our community!”

The response has been terrific. Members of all ages have signed up, offering their hobbies, their skills, their interests, their time and their availability.